In observing the periodic table, you may have come to the conclusion that there are two main groups of classifying elements: metals and nonmetals. Each of these categories has properties that are unique. There is also a group called the metalloids, that have characteristics and properties of both metals and nonmetals. Some of the physical properties of metals include malleability (can be hammered and bend without breaking) and luster (true metals are typically shiny, not dull). Metals are also good conductors of electricity. Many metals also react with acid or copper sulfate. In contrast, nonmetals are usually brittle and break when smashed. They also are typically dull, and have very little luster. Nonmetals are not very good conductors of electricity. They also do not react with acid or copper sulfate. Metalloids have some properties of both metals and nonmetals.
Materials:
6 samples of elements
hammer
conductivity apparatus
Lab safety: Wash your hands after handling the elements.
Prelab
1.) What are some characteristic properties of metals?
2.) What are some characteristic properties of nonmetals?
3.) What is a metalloid?
4.) Given the following materials, what type of data might you be able to collect?
Several samples of elements, hammer and conductivity apparatus
5.) Predict: Which properties would the samples need to have in order to be classified as a metal?
Procedure
You should be able to observe/test for three different properties of metals (appearance, crushing, conductivity). Write down a procedure for each.
Data
Create a data table that displays these three properties.
Example
Sample
Appearance
Crushing
Conductivity
A
B
C
D
E
F
Analysis
1.) Based on your observations, which metals might you classify as metals?
2.) Which might you classify as nonmetals?
3.) Would you classify any of them as metalloids?
4.) What property of metals did you not test for in this lab?
5.) How might you test for this additional property to confirm your results?
Conclusion
Identify 3 things your learned in this lab. Suggest a research question that you might like to investigate further.
Metal or Nonmetal - Part 1
In observing the periodic table, you may have come to the conclusion that there are two main groups of classifying elements: metals and nonmetals. Each of these categories has properties that are unique. There is also a group called the metalloids, that have characteristics and properties of both metals and nonmetals. Some of the physical properties of metals include malleability (can be hammered and bend without breaking) and luster (true metals are typically shiny, not dull). Metals are also good conductors of electricity. Many metals also react with acid or copper sulfate. In contrast, nonmetals are usually brittle and break when smashed. They also are typically dull, and have very little luster. Nonmetals are not very good conductors of electricity. They also do not react with acid or copper sulfate. Metalloids have some properties of both metals and nonmetals.Materials:
6 samples of elements
hammer
conductivity apparatus
Lab safety: Wash your hands after handling the elements.
Prelab
1.) What are some characteristic properties of metals?
2.) What are some characteristic properties of nonmetals?
3.) What is a metalloid?
4.) Given the following materials, what type of data might you be able to collect?
Several samples of elements, hammer and conductivity apparatus
5.) Predict: Which properties would the samples need to have in order to be classified as a metal?
Procedure
You should be able to observe/test for three different properties of metals (appearance, crushing, conductivity). Write down a procedure for each.
Data
Create a data table that displays these three properties.
Example
Analysis
1.) Based on your observations, which metals might you classify as metals?
2.) Which might you classify as nonmetals?
3.) Would you classify any of them as metalloids?
4.) What property of metals did you not test for in this lab?
5.) How might you test for this additional property to confirm your results?
Conclusion
Identify 3 things your learned in this lab. Suggest a research question that you might like to investigate further.